The role of microfinance in small, medium, and micro-enterprises in Gqeberha
- Authors: Dolo, Anita
- Date: 2025-04
- Subjects: Microfinance -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Small business -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Economic development -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/72668 , vital:79246
- Description: This treatise examined the role of microfinance to support the growth, sustainability, and socio-economic development of small, medium, and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) in Gqeberha, South Africa. SMMEs are vital for local economic development, yet they face barriers to formal financial access, including limited credit histories, lack of collateral, and a risk-averse banking sector. Microfinance institutions (MFIs) have emerged as essential sources of accessible financial products tailored to SMMEs' unique needs. This research assessed the effectiveness of microfinance in facilitating capital access, fostering entrepreneurship, and alleviating poverty in Gqeberha, ultimately contributing to community well-being. By analysing current microfinance initiatives and identifying operational gaps, this study provided insights for policymakers and practitioners seeking to optimise MFI support for SMMEs. The results show that microfinance has the potential to help local economies become more stable by building a foundation for long-term SMME growth and showing how to make economies more resilient in similar situations. This study explored the role of microfinance in supporting SMMEs in Gqeberha, focusing on financial accessibility, resilience, and growth. A qualitative approach was employed, using a case study design to provide in-depth insights. The research relied on purposive sampling to select 30 relevant documents from reputable sources, such as government reports and research organisations. Data analysis was conducted through content analysis and thematic coding, enabling the identification of key themes related to financial support, operational challenges, and potential strategies for SMME sustainability in Gqeberha. The findings revealed that while SMMEs are pivotal to local economic development, they face substantial challenges, including limited financial accessibility, infrastructure deficits, and stringent regulatory demands. Data collected indicated that 74 percent of SMME owners report difficulties in securing affordable financing, while 68 percent identified inadequate support services as a major barrier. The research recommends specific changes: establishing government-supported funding programmes with subsidised interest rates and reduced collateral requirements, launching targeted capacity-building initiatives to enhance financial and operational skills, and forming public-private partnerships for risk-sharing. This work contributed to the field by highlighting MFIs' role in addressing systemic barriers for SMMEs and underscoring the need for sustainable support frameworks. These insights offer valuable guidance for policymakers and development agencies to foster a more inclusive and resilient economy in South Africa. , Thesis (MPhil) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04
- Authors: Dolo, Anita
- Date: 2025-04
- Subjects: Microfinance -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Small business -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Economic development -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/72668 , vital:79246
- Description: This treatise examined the role of microfinance to support the growth, sustainability, and socio-economic development of small, medium, and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) in Gqeberha, South Africa. SMMEs are vital for local economic development, yet they face barriers to formal financial access, including limited credit histories, lack of collateral, and a risk-averse banking sector. Microfinance institutions (MFIs) have emerged as essential sources of accessible financial products tailored to SMMEs' unique needs. This research assessed the effectiveness of microfinance in facilitating capital access, fostering entrepreneurship, and alleviating poverty in Gqeberha, ultimately contributing to community well-being. By analysing current microfinance initiatives and identifying operational gaps, this study provided insights for policymakers and practitioners seeking to optimise MFI support for SMMEs. The results show that microfinance has the potential to help local economies become more stable by building a foundation for long-term SMME growth and showing how to make economies more resilient in similar situations. This study explored the role of microfinance in supporting SMMEs in Gqeberha, focusing on financial accessibility, resilience, and growth. A qualitative approach was employed, using a case study design to provide in-depth insights. The research relied on purposive sampling to select 30 relevant documents from reputable sources, such as government reports and research organisations. Data analysis was conducted through content analysis and thematic coding, enabling the identification of key themes related to financial support, operational challenges, and potential strategies for SMME sustainability in Gqeberha. The findings revealed that while SMMEs are pivotal to local economic development, they face substantial challenges, including limited financial accessibility, infrastructure deficits, and stringent regulatory demands. Data collected indicated that 74 percent of SMME owners report difficulties in securing affordable financing, while 68 percent identified inadequate support services as a major barrier. The research recommends specific changes: establishing government-supported funding programmes with subsidised interest rates and reduced collateral requirements, launching targeted capacity-building initiatives to enhance financial and operational skills, and forming public-private partnerships for risk-sharing. This work contributed to the field by highlighting MFIs' role in addressing systemic barriers for SMMEs and underscoring the need for sustainable support frameworks. These insights offer valuable guidance for policymakers and development agencies to foster a more inclusive and resilient economy in South Africa. , Thesis (MPhil) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04
The role of microfinance in women empowerment in Gqeberha, South Africa
- Munyoro, Ruvimbonashe Doreen
- Authors: Munyoro, Ruvimbonashe Doreen
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Microfinance -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Empowerment -- Women , Women executives , Businesswomen
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65274 , vital:74085
- Description: This research studied the role of microfinance in women empowerment in Gqeberha, in Nelson Mandela Bay, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Various development strategies and approaches have been devised across the world, aimed at empowering women and eradicating poverty, particularly in developing countries. One of these development strategies is microfinance. Microfinance has provided financial assistance through loans to people, unable to access formal financial banks. Empowering women to participate fully in their economies is not only essential to building economies but to achieving the internationally agreed goals for development, human rights and sustainability. The inclusion of women empowerment and poverty alleviation in the Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals demonstrates the importance of poverty alleviation (SDG1) and women empowerment (SDG5) in the development of economies across the world. This qualitative research study collected data, using semi-structured questionnaires and interviews with 30 beneficiaries of MFIs and three MFI managers in Gqeberha. The sampling method used were non-probability purposive sampling, and the data were analysed through content analysis and descriptive statistics. The results suggest that microfinance through micro-loans and micro-business loans has had a positive role in the empowerment of women through the ease of access to finance through small loans. However, a gap exists in the market for long-term loans which could aid with starting small businesses and give the beneficiary more financial independence, improving their livelihood. It is recommended that MFIs across Gqeberha offer loans in the form of start-up capital and financial advice or education. , Thesis (MPhil) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
- Authors: Munyoro, Ruvimbonashe Doreen
- Date: 2024-04
- Subjects: Microfinance -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Empowerment -- Women , Women executives , Businesswomen
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/65274 , vital:74085
- Description: This research studied the role of microfinance in women empowerment in Gqeberha, in Nelson Mandela Bay, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Various development strategies and approaches have been devised across the world, aimed at empowering women and eradicating poverty, particularly in developing countries. One of these development strategies is microfinance. Microfinance has provided financial assistance through loans to people, unable to access formal financial banks. Empowering women to participate fully in their economies is not only essential to building economies but to achieving the internationally agreed goals for development, human rights and sustainability. The inclusion of women empowerment and poverty alleviation in the Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals demonstrates the importance of poverty alleviation (SDG1) and women empowerment (SDG5) in the development of economies across the world. This qualitative research study collected data, using semi-structured questionnaires and interviews with 30 beneficiaries of MFIs and three MFI managers in Gqeberha. The sampling method used were non-probability purposive sampling, and the data were analysed through content analysis and descriptive statistics. The results suggest that microfinance through micro-loans and micro-business loans has had a positive role in the empowerment of women through the ease of access to finance through small loans. However, a gap exists in the market for long-term loans which could aid with starting small businesses and give the beneficiary more financial independence, improving their livelihood. It is recommended that MFIs across Gqeberha offer loans in the form of start-up capital and financial advice or education. , Thesis (MPhil) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, School of Economics, Development and Tourism, 2024
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2024-04
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